Questions about ablation for SVT.

Posted by mitchellynn @mitchellynn, Oct 1, 2025

I have had SVT ranging from 180-220 bpm for 10 years. It only happens about twice a year but recently has required help from EMS or ER to reset it. I am unable to reset it without help. I have a new EP and he wants to do an ablation. I was on board since it is TERRIFYING when it happens although I've been endlessly reassured that SVT is not life threatening just uncomfortable. My appointment with my new EP was telemedicine since I live in Alaska and couldn't get to Anchorage for the appointment. The EP made the ablation sound very easy. The procedure would last an hour and then I needed to stay overnight in Anchorage and take 3 days off work before returning to my regular schedule. I now received an email outlining "What to expect" and it seems far more complicated than my EP suggested. I a bit upset with myself to believe I could have a procedure on my HEART without months of recovery. The "What to expect" suggests that it may take up to 1 year for everything to be completely fine. This year I have a senior graduating from high school and a senior graduating from college out of state. Since my SVT only happens twice a year, I'm second guessing my plan and considering delaying it for 9 months until I'm an empty nester. Here are my concerns-
Blood thinners for months? I'm anemic already due to heavy periods. My reading suggests that blood thinners and heavy periods can make anemia much worse.
Rapid heart rate for 1-3 months? If I only have big episodes twice a year, signing up for rapid heart rate sounds horrible.
Can't trigger SVT episode to complete ablation? That was a repeated problem I've read in this connect.
Increased anxiety after ablation? Also read it many times in postings here.
Thanks for any help. This community has been such a gift to my journey!

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Zebra | @californiazebra | Oct 6, 2025

In reply to @red350 "I had an ablation for SVT done 8 months ago. I went into cardiac tamponade about..." + (show)

@red350

I had an ablation for SVT done 8 months ago. I went into cardiac tamponade about an hour after the surgery, while in the recovery room. I had felt fine until I didn't. ICU for 4 days. Emergency Chest drain and then sent home. Kept getting worse and was told "everyone recovers differently." I have taught exercise for 45 years. Excellent conditioning and I know my body and when something is off. My EP, who is the head of the EP program and only does this type of surgery day in a day out for the last 15 years, told me I was her healthiest patient (I joked with her to not jinx the surgery....) hindsight. Finally diagnosed with Post Cardiac Injury Syndrome almost a month after the ablation - a type of pericarditis - I had pleural effusions that had to be drained and I was hospitalized once more because of the pleural effusions. Had to go on prednisone, naproxen and colchicine. STILL on the meds although I am slowly tapering off prednisone. If I'd had a crystal ball - well I don't know what I would have done. It has been a blessing NOT to have SVT since February (I was having multiple episodes daily). And my EP is very confident, because of the type of SVT it was, that I will be free from this. Having said this - if it every comes back - fingers crossed it won't - I will pick medication over another ablation - but then I have to with how my body reacted to the first surgery (and only surgery that I've had in my life). Even my EP said I would not be a candidate for another ablation because my body reacted with systemic inflammation that will probably take a year or more to get over. And then monitor for an additional 3+ years. I am back to teaching class (yoga for now) and I am walking and on my treadmill. But I am not back to pre-ablation exercise levels, walking up hills can be challenging some days and a breeze the next. Additionally, I remember the EP introducing me to a cardiology fellow and saying he would assist her if that was ok - I didn't know what a fellow was in terms of the medical field - but it's people learning how to do what she does. If I'd known that I would have said no. I believe this is why this happened to me. My EP was devastated and said this has never happened in her entire career and she has never treated someone with this. In fact I am a case study at the hospital now because they've only read about this in their medical school classes.

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@red350
Wow, that is so awful that happened to you! I am so sorry. So scary and such a long recovery. Praying you be back to 100% and SVT free.

I’m glad you mentioned about the fellow. It will remind me to ask about any trainees in any future procedures. When I had my double mastectomy I noticed the incision on one side was a different style than the other. Then I received a bill for one side from my surgeon and a different surgeon billed for the other side. Not an assistant surgery but two primaries. I was stunned. I requested the op report and no mention of the other surgeon. I was not asked for permission or even notified. When I hire someone for surgery based on their reputation I expect them to be the surgeon.

@wolf53 | @wolf53 | Mar 16 9:54am

I had an SVT ablation two months ago. The EP said everything looked great. Since then I've had extremely high resting heart rates--normally 90s-lower 100s, round the clock. Those numbers are about 25-30 pts higher than my normal. I can't sleep/exhausted. It's difficult to concentrate/brain fog, so the activities that gave me pleasure I'm not currently able to do.. The EP says my symptoms are anxiety--the same guy who told me 5 years ago, "Don't let anyone tell you SVT is anxiety, it's not." I found out about the "blanking period" myself. I had NO idea that any of this could happen--the EP made it sound easy. My symptoms are creating a near housebound life. I'm a yoga instructor, hiker (previously walking or hiking 5-7 miles 5 days per week), and an artist. All these activities have come to a halt, due to lack of endurance and/or brain fog, can't catch good breath. I now walk my dog a half mile--on good days, 2 walks. I do gentle yoga at home--again on good days. In the past I practiced hot yoga/power vinyasa in the studio. There will be "good days"--and I'll think I'm over the hump, but nope. What is going on? And when will I be able to get back to my normal life?

gloaming | @gloaming | Mar 16 11:11am

In reply to @wolf53 "I had an SVT ablation two months ago. The EP said everything looked great. Since then..." + (show)

@kthrn1 Please make it your day's prime and unavoidable task to seek and to get agreement from a new cardiologist/EP to take a look at your case. You may need a pacemaker, as sad as that may be after all you have endured recently, but a pacemaker might improve things for you going forward. Or, another, better, more advanced, and less dismissive (probably not plumb outta ideas) EP who would know how to get your rate back down to the low 80's or 70's.

@wolf53 | @wolf53 | Apr 10 8:11am

I had my mitral valve replaced just over a year ago, January 2025, and that recovery went very well--I was back to doing everything I love. I have always been an extremely active woman.
Dec. 2025, I had one dose of a new antibiotic and had an anaphylactic reaction.
Then I had an SVT ablation 2.5 months ago, the third week of January 2026.
Since the ablation, my heart rate is still between 90-100 (which is about 20+ pts higher than it normally was). I have internal tremors almost 24 hours a day and it feels like my body is heated inside---neck feels heated inside. My hands will shake. The tremors cause my entire body to be in pain. Heart thumping. I can finally get *some* sleep, but I am sleeping with all the symptoms mentioned. The smallest efforts--like going to a doctor appt. yesterday or a short walk--makes these symptoms even more intense that night and the following day. I was back to my very strong healthy life after the mitral valve replacement---hiking 4-6 miles per day, power yoga, skiing, and working. I had a full social life. Since the ablation, I'm not able to do any of these. I've reported this to the EP. On a beta blocker--no difference.
Has anyone else had anything like this? Is this an intense & extended ablation recovery? Any ideas of what's going on and when I will get back to my normal life?

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